The National Weather Service is calling for showers and possibly a thunderstorm Monday, prompting town officials to abbreviate the Memorial Day Parade. First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and VFW Commander Peter Langenus issued the following announcement:

Dear residents and participants.

Due to the expected foul weather tomorrow, we have an abbreviated parade route planned.  Participation in the parade is entirely optional at this point and time.

For those that wish to view or participate, the following information is provided:

The parade will step off from St Marks at 9:30 and proceed down Main Street to St John’s Place. The route will continue up to Park Street where we will turn left into the Town Hall campus and proceed to the entrance to Town Hall.  The Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 10:15 at Town Hall.

Bill Ruoff. Contributed

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner of the Congregational Church of New Canaan will preside and William Ruoff will serve as guest speaker. A Kentucky native who grew up in rural Indiana, Ruoff graduated in 1980 from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., majoring in marine engineering, then began training in the Naval Nuclear Power program for designation in submarines as his warfare specialty, according to a biography supplied by the first selectman’s office. He served one sea tour as a division officer aboard the USS Los Angeles and completed one deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian oceans during the Cold War era.